THE GUN - ISSUE No. 283 Jun/Jul 2021 - The magazine of the Royal Enfield Owners Club
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THE GUN The magazine of the Royal Enfield Owners Club ISSUE Jun/Jul No. 283 “Made like a Gun” 2021
2
Contents
Page 2 Adverts
4 Editorial
5/10 Write Away
11 New Zealand 25th
12/14 Waisted Bolts
14/15 Branching Out
16 Club Sales
17 Adverts
18/19 Crusader Evolution Contributions for
20 More About Brakes publication ALL
21 Machine Dating articles, letters,
statements etc.
22 Club Calendar submitted should end
23 Dating Procedure with your name,
24/27 Bath to Biarritz membership number,
contact details
28/29 Market Place telephone number,
30 New Members postal address, email
31/32 M.A.G. address, any two
contact points are
33/46 Branch Reports
acceptable.
47 Crossword
Magazine production
Editor - Alan Barringer 13 Temple Way, Worth, Deal, Kent. CT14 0DA
Tel:- 01304 615061 email:- theguneditor@royalenfield.org.uk
Magazine Distribution Officer - Graham Scarth, 39 North Moor Road, Huntington,
York. YO32 9QN Tel:- 01904 764806 email:- magazinedistribution@royalenfield.org.uk
Membership Secretary - Teresa Langley, Strathaan, Ardgay. IV24 3BG
Tel:- 01863 766431 email:- membershipsecretary@royalenfield.org.uk
Printed by - Printing Services Scotland Ltd., Dunfermline, Fife. KY12 9DT
Published by - The Royal Enfield Owners Club
Front Cover:- 1917 Tsar army Royal Enfield rebuilt by Pasi Makiranta of
Finland. What a great rebuild and I love the period uniform to go with the bike.
Report pages 6 & 7
3
Editorial
Welcome once again to your Gun magazine. Hopefully this will be the last
issue produced under lockdown, and we will soon be back to rallies and
ride outs as we were in 2019. Unfortunately I have again received items
after the cut off date, and too late to find room for. The date is there for a
purpose, namely to allow me to fit as much as possible into the issue,
proof read it, and get it to the printer. After proof reading I would have to
completely restart editing the magazine to fit in late submissions, so if you
want them published get them to me on time. It is encouraging to see that
we do now have a club rallies page which is no longer blank, so thank you
to all those taking the trouble to organize these in trying times.
REgards, Alan.
All contributions for the next issue to reach the Editor
by the 1st July 2021
Next issue published August 2021
4
CLUB SPARES SCHEME
Seeing as we are one of the biggest clubs, or have one of the largest membership,
it amazes me that we have the smallest club spares in existence. Apart from,
badges, stickers, key fobs, T shirts etc: We do not stock machine parts. I belong
to the Norton Owners club which has a big membership and produces a big
spares scheme that the main dealers do not.
I also belong to a Classic car club which has very few members Yet are able to
get parts made mainly by club members them selves or seek out workshops.
Even the small car club gets new panels and repair panels made, rubber parts,
mechanical parts, exhaust systems almost every thing that the main classic
parts suppliers do not hold stock for. What is the Royal Enfield Club doing wrong?
Surely with such a large membership and the Gun only produced Bi-Monthly
there must be enough from members subs to be able to cater for a spares
scheme.
What we should be getting made is items that the main Enfield dealers have
stopped getting made. Hitchcock’s and BBB are a good source but once they
run out of stock they will not replace items unless there is a great demand for
them. It is these Items we have to try and get made either by members who are
engineers, tin bashers or by seeking out small places that will make small
batches. Some of these items may cost a bit more than they used to cost when
they were available, but at least it gets your project or keeps the bike on the
road.
I myself need a Siamese exhaust for a 1958 Meteor Minor small frame which
you would have thought the main dealers would have kept up I have inquired
and was told that they do not intend getting any made in the future. If I can get a
pattern I will see if I can get one made. If I do find a place it would be worth while
getting several made if any member is interest. So let me know, phone number
at the bottom, also if any one has an old system they are willing to lend me for a
pattern.
If this plea for unavailable parts is of interest to a large number of the members,
a list from you all needs to be made out and collected The list may then be put
in the Gun to see who in the club may be able or willing to make (for a fee of
course) or know of a place to get made.
Not sure how other clubs work but they must have set aside an allowance to get
club spares made which is paid back when an item is sold. Any one know out
there?
I am too old to take this on but I should think it will need two people to run a
scheme like this.
Your comments offensive or otherwise will be of interest in the next Gun Issue.
Colin (03115) Tel: 01642 896743 (07926564221)
5
Write Away
1917 Tzar Army Motorcycle
I noticed the article of The Russian Army Contract in the latest issue of GUN
(278). Some of the motorcycles that were mentioned in the article ended up to
Estonia and serviced in the Estonian Civil War between 1918-20. I currently
have one of those motorcycles here in Finland fully restored in Tzar army special
colours and options. I bought the project in 2008 from Estonia and finished the
restoration in 2015.
The original
project was
missing a lot of
parts, such as
magneto,
magneto shield,
rear carrier,
handlebar, front
fork, foot
boards, hand
crank handle
etc. (see the
picture of the
initial condition).
Hence, I first
began to look
after missing
parts. The original handlebar was found from Estonia. I made the rear carrier
myself based on the measures and pictures that I got from Australia. One of the
missing parts, the hand crank handle, I got for loan from Australia, so I was able
to make an exact copy of it and send the original back. Magneto was an eBay
find from USA. It was in very good original condition.
The Engine rebuild was done by my friend. He noticed that Citroen DS pistons
are very close to original size, but because they were alloy pistons compared to
original cast iron parts, the crankshaft required re-balancing. Conrod were easy.
I got a tip that Indian Chief 1200cc conrod dimensions are the same as in RE
engine and high-quality reproduction parts are widely available. So, I bought a
pair form Germany. The front mudguard is identical with the 1924 model, which
I have in my garage. A friend of mine made three copies of the mudguard, which
of one was sent to Australia in exchange to original rear mudguard. I made the
magneto cover myself from sheet metal. The original type saddle found from
my friend’s stock and another friend matte nickel-plated all the bright parts. Of
course there is lot’s of more details to tell, but not even whole GUN have not
enough sheets to tell complete story.
6
Write Away
The costume was found by internet from Ukraine in 2010. It is originally a movie
accessory but made from the same fabric as the original Tzar army uniform.
The jacket with two set of trousers and a hat cost in total only 100 USD with
shipping included – a real bargain. I even bought the reproduction sword from
China to complete the entity.
The project was finished just in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the
Vintage Motorcycle Club of Finland (VMPK) and was on show in the club annual
run and participated to the annual restoration contest winning the 1st prize. Two
years later in 2017 VMPK gave the bike another acknowledgement in its 100
year anniversary.
Pasi Mäkiranta (11084)
Fraud Warning. 2
Regarding Kim’s warning in the Gun issue 282 I to had the same experience.
A reply to my wanted ad in the Gun with the bike or parts I wanted taken and
copied from an advert. I have had the repeat request for these part from
three different names and emails.I believe this to be one person but could
be gang related.They also find the wanted ads in Classic bike mags, OBM
and the internet.
Colin House (03115)
7
Write Away
IT’S THE SAME THE WHOLE WORLD OVER
It wasn’t the first time in its twenty-year lifetime that I have called out in
desperation to the bike, “What’s wrong with you NOW?”
A motorcycle is a magnificent thing when it is working but a thing of frustration
and dismay when it stops unexpectedly, leaving the rider feeling helpless
and bemused as the machine rolls slowly to a silent, ignominious halt. It
had happened whilst travelling in many different countries. This time it
happened in England- not too far from my home.
Dismayed, I sat there in a state of disbelief. Everything had been fine on
leaving the Bristol mechanic who had just had it for a week to sort out
various problems. How could something else have gone wrong within twenty
miles of riding away from the workshop? But there I was by a set of traffic
lights on the A38 at Thornbury. Luckily, there was a paved area for getting
off the main road. As soon as I removed my helmet, I could smell petrol so
I turned the petrol off and had a look around. Big bulging drips emerged
from the carburettor. The petrol poured out when I temporarily turned the
tap on again. I got the tool-kit out and started to fiddle about. This was
something that hadn’t happened before. Perhaps the carburettor float which
regulates the petrol flow had become stuck. It wouldn’t be a difficult job to
free it. Then I tried to start the bike and there was no power. Nothing. Now
there were two problems. Electrics baffle me so, with a sigh of resignation,
I put down my spanner, picked up my phone and rang the breakdown service.
A chirpy young man answered who, like everyone else the world over, was
probably looking forward to his Friday evening. He took my details and
reassured me that someone would be along soon. I stood by the bike and
waited. Just as I was musing that ‘If this were India, someone would have
stopped to help by now,’ a scruffy van pulled up and the female passenger
called out from the wound-down window “Are you alright?” I walked over to
the van where the couple within sat, engine still running. “I’m on my way to
Tewkesbury. Thanks for stopping but I’ve called the breakdown people.
They won’t be long.” The man driving turned off the engine, got out and
opened the rear doors. After a quick visual assessment he said, “Cancel
the breakdown. We’ll take you.” I had at least another hour’s ride in front of
me to Tewkesbury where I was presenting and book-signing at a weekend
bike show. I was due to display my bike and do a talk at eleven o’clock the
following morning.
8
Write Away
These kind people should just leave me to wait for the breakdown service.
After all, it was summer; it was late afternoon and it wasn’t raining. I’d be
fine. They would not hear of it and the matter was taken out of my hands. I
cancelled the breakdown service and clambered in the back of the van,
crouching next to my Royal Enfield which by now had been secured with
ratchet straps. “We just need to pop home to feed the animals.” they said,
as we veered off the main road and into a nearby village. It was not a large,
grand house and the space was filled with teenaged children and pets within
a relaxed and affectionate atmosphere. Even the good-natured animals
were at ease with each other, the rabbit freely wandering around the garden
together with the cat and the dog. Across the lane, the horse plodded
companionably towards us as we waited with her supper of hay at the
wooden gate. After petting the animals, giving them their dinner and having
a cup of tea ourselves, we set off again for a field somewhere the other
side of the historic market town of Tewkesbury.
Conversation was easy. We chatted about who we were and what we did
as you do when you’ve just been rescued and are travelling with people
you don’t know although you’ve just been to their house, met the members
of their household and had a cup of tea, that great leveller, comforter and
sociable drink the whole world over. He was a scaffolder and she a carer in
a residential care home. I told them the world travel history of my motorbike.
We discussed local places we all knew. They said they came into Bristol on
special occasions for a slap-up meal at their favourite restaurant.
We arrived at the beautiful riverside location and unloaded the bike near
the presentation hall ready for the morning. There was a pub on site where
the couple allowed me to buy them a drink but they would not let me pay for
their meals. They looked upon the episode as a bit of fun and better than
staying indoors on such a balmy, summer evening. They would not accept
a contribution towards petrol and left after giving me their address and a
request for a postcard from wherever I travelled to next. I thanked them
profusely for their kindness but they told me they were happy to help out a
biker in need. The weekend went most enjoyably. I met people I already
knew, made new friends and learned from the presentations of others. On
the Sunday afternoon, the bike and I were taken home by breakdown truck.
I visited the couple’s favourite restaurant where a voucher was specially
made for me to send to them as thanks for their ready thoughtful-ness. I
was used to people helping me with roadside repairs, directions and
9
Write Away
impromptu accommodation. It had happened countless times during my
world travels with this dinosaur of a motorbike but I hadn’t expected such
magnanimity on my home ground. It was yet another lesson demonstrating
that wherever you are, be it Thornbury or Thessaloniki, Bristol or Bangalore,
Melbourne or Manchester, it’s the people you meet who give cause for
humility and gratitude.
It’s the same the whole world over.
Jacqui Furneaux. jacasia@hotmail.com
Jacqui’s book “Hit The Road Jac! (seven years, twenty countries, no plan)”
documenting her travels around the world on a Royal Enfield Bullet is
available from Jacqui herself or from Hitchcocks, Amazon UK, Kindle and
Audible. Editors note, This is probably the best travel book I have ever
read, and is an inspiration to us all to just get out there and ride.
Safety Warning
Received this via Triumph Owners Club.
“Please take note as we start to ride again. If you see a truck with no mirrors
then it probably is equipped with a new camera system which appears to
be slightly flawed. Take note and take care! Just a little heads up for you
guys. Today I had the pleasure (not) of driving a new Merc truck fitted with
mirror cameras, from a bikers point of view, they’re bloody awful. Although
you no longer have the big blind spot caused by the half-acre of plastic
sticking out, which makes it hard to see approaching bikes on a roundabout,
you now have quite a large area beside the cab that isn’t covered by the
wide-angle section of the mirror, and you could easily lose sight of a bike if
you’re not careful. It is also impossible to get a better view by moving your
head, as it’s like looking at the TV, no matter where you stand, the picture
isn’t going to change. Probably the worst bit though is the lack of eye contact,
especially in slow moving traffic. With normal mirrors, I can see you, and
you can see me, and that little bit of eye contact makes a massive difference.
With the camera, you have no way of telling whether I’ve seen you or not,
so it’s best to assume that I haven’t. So there you go, if a truck has cameras
instead of mirrors, give it a bit more room, don’t get anywhere near the
corners of the cab, and never assume the driver knows that you’re filtering
up to the front of the queue”.
Stay safe and look after yourselves, Ron Wright.
(forwarded to me by Roger Brown)
10New Zealand 25th
25th Anniversary Edition -- April 2021
25th ANNIVERSARY RALLY
A BIG thank you to Mal Ritchie for organising a great rally,
not forgetting Mal’s wife Corinna pitching in with the catering.
Also thank you to John & Kerry Rapley for organising a rally cake and
bring along to the rally dinner. A great turn out 40 entrants plus 2 guest
riders made up for 38 bikes for the event. It is always great to meet up with
new members; and it’s awesome to see them enjoying an RE rally for a
first time. Not forgetting all the guys who keep turning up for a good time.
11From the Archives April 2021
Broken Interceptor - a 1963 forensic story
In December 1963 a test Interceptor suffered a major engine breakage.
The following memo was addressed to the factory management.
As you know, one connecting rod in this machine broke after 16000 miles
running (equivalent to 52 million revolutions in top gear). Both big end bolts
had broken, also the bearing cap at approximately the six o’clock position
and the neck of the rod about three inches above the crank pin centre.
I took all the broken parts to Mr J.V.Scanlan of High Duty Alloys, and having
seen them under his binocular microscope, I’m satisfied that the first part
to fail was one of the big end bolts. Examination of the fracture on the
portion which screws into the connecting rod (which was perfectly unmarked
during the smash-up which followed) shows distinct indications of a fatigue
failure. Failure of the first bolt would leave the bearing cap held by one end
only and this probably failed after a few revolutions, followed almost
simultaneously by failure of the second bolt which also showed signs of
fatigue crack. The upper end of the connecting rod would then be free to
drop down and was trapped between the crank pin and the cylinder skirt
causing the fracture of the neck of the rod.
Examination of a section of the screw thread cut from the bolt which broke
second showed a minute radial crack at the crest of each thread. This is
thought to be caused by the thread rolling process and not to be harmful,
though a similar crack at the root of the thread would be fatal. There was,
however, no sign of this.
Waisted Big End Bolts
Mr Scanlan strongly recommended the use of waisted bolts and showed
me the bolts removed from a small connecting rod of a refrigerator motor.
This has a smaller thread diameter and a coarser pitch than our bolts but
the whole length of the shank, except for a short portion in the middle for
location purposes, is reduced to a diameter apparently well below the core
diameter of the thread. This gives a bolt with a frightening appearance, the
reduced portions looking like stout wire, but apparently no trouble is
experienced with these in service. I also saw under the binocular microscope
this afternoon a big end stud from a car with an experimental aluminium
alloy connecting rod, one or more of which had broken, it is suspected, due
to stud failure. This stud which came from an unbroken rod and was slightly
waisted, showed a large fatigue crack in the root of one thread.
12From the Archives
I suggested, and Mr
Scanlan agreed, that bolts
in aluminium rods might be
more liable to fatigue
failure than in steel rods.
This is not only on ac-
count of the big end eye
flexing on an aluminium
alloy rod, which put
bending loads on the bolts,
1962 Interceptor
but also because of the differential thermal
expansion between the bolt and the rod which
puts an additional tensile stress on the bolt when
the engine is hot. This introduces an additional
fatigue cycle which is large although slow, perhaps
two or three cycles per day, of maybe 1000 cycles
per year. While this would not normally be thought
to cause fatigue failure, it must be remembered
that the similar slow cycle was the cause of the
failure of the D H Comet aeroplane
Steel Connecting Rods
This same differential expansion causes an Interceptor Big End Bolt
objectionable increase in bearing clearances as the engine warms up and
I would suggest that we
should seriously consider
using steel connecting
rods, at any rate, in our
250cc engines.
At a recent meeting at the
Birmingham centre of the
A.D. of the Institute of
Mechanical Engineers, our
Mr C.A.E Booker asked
the new chairman, Mr S.H
Grylls, Chief Engineer of
the car division of Rolls
An experimental big end bolt Royce Ltd if they had ever
13From the Archives
considered using aluminium alloy rods in their engines. The answer was
“no, on account of the finite fatigue life of high strength aluminium alloys,
and the fact that theoretically it’s possible to make a lighter rod out of steel
than aluminium”. While this may be at the cost of machining the rod all
over, the extra weight of
a properly designed steel
rod cannot be very great
and most of this is
rotating weight which
cannot be balanced.
A. Wilson Jones
The drawing here shows
an experi-mental big end
bolt which appears to
have been designed to
correct this weakness but
didn’t see production. Constant diameter bolts continued to be used, but
the design looks similar to the bolts used on Triumph 350 and 500s, which
have two narrowed, or waisted sections.
Archivist
Branching Out
Hi everyone, I would like to start this report by saying thanks to all those
that have made some testing times a lot more pleasant. I have written literally
hundreds of emails to various people in recent months to prime new
branches and intro-duce new members to existing branches.
Despite restrictions, and not being able to meet many people, it has been a
great source of connection. Receiving thankyou emails from new members
and branch contacts has been very uplifting.
Members wishing to set up new branches have also been very patient, and
I am looking forward to travelling far and wide to finally bring the new
branches to fruition.
Perhaps, as you are reading this, the branch already exists, and they have
already gone on a ride out somewhere? I joined the new South Wiltshire
branch for their first ride out, which went very well. The following week, I
joined the Bristol branch ride out and had the rock star treatment of seeing
14Branching Out
my name printed on reserved parking signs at
the destination venue.
Multi Branch Meetings are a great way to see
some different faces and bikes and are quite
simple to reschedule if covid regulations or any
other circumstances arise.
At the time of writing this, some branches had
already enjoyed such an event (I hope their
reports are in this issue of The Gun) and other
branches had plans to have similar interactions
and meet at midway destinations.
By the time this goes to print. I am hoping to
have travelled to Welshpool for the inaugural
meeting of a new branch.
This seems a good way to have some sort of event on calendars whilst we
wait for larger events to take place.
Nearest Branches
All branches can be found on the club website but, if you’re not sure where
your nearest branch is, or if you’re a branch contact and not sure which is
the nearest branch to collaborate with, give me a call.
Please also call if you’re interested in setting up a new branch. All we need
is a volunteer to be branch contact and a venue to meet. I’ll see how many
members are in the area and (restrictions allowing), we can get your local
branch set up
THE CLASSIC DIRT BIKE SHOW 2021
The annual off-road and road-racing show will be held at the STAFFORD
COUNTY SHOWGROUND on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th September
2021. The Royal Enfield Owners Club has been asked to host a stand.
So, we are looking for some interesting bikes to display and some stand
volunteers. Weekend passes will be supplied to those taking part. I have
volunteered to organise a stand for the club. There will be weekend passes
for stand volunteers. The stand needs to be se up by 9:00 am on the 18th.
Access is available on the Friday prior to the event
If you would like to offer bikes to display or would like to volunteer to assist
on the club stand, please contact me. Regards, Jason Reeves.
branchcoordinator@royalenfield.org.uk Tel:- 07773353522
15Club Sales
Code Item description (see website for photos) U.K. Overseas
S1 Machine Badge - stainless steel £9.50
Email a list of your requirements for a quote
Royal Mail pricing too complex to list here
S2c REOC enamel lapel badge - red / yellow / green / blue £2.50
S2e Cannon pin badge - chrome £2.50
S2f 60th year of Bullet badge - green / white / orange (India) £2.60
S3a Sticker - silver with ‘Cannon’ + ‘Made like a Gun’ £1.50
S3b Screen sticker (inside screen) £1.80
S4 Sew-on patch £3.10
S5 Key fob - with red / yellow / green / blue badge £3.20
S11 Gun magazine binder - red or blue £7.00
S15 Tie - royal blue or maroon - ( printed - reduced to clear) £2.00
S16 40th Anniversary of REOC, enamel lapel badge £2.50
S20 Sweatshirts - Small to Large £14.20
S20 Sweatshirts - XL to XXL £15.00
S21 T-shirts - Small to XXL £7.30
S24 Polo shirt - embroidered logo - Small to XXL £18.50
All UK prices include postage and packing.
Overseas (non-UK) customers, please
Always order using the current issue of ‘The Gun’
Garment colours are as follows:
Polo shirts:- royal blue, maroon, black or white
T-shirts:- royal blue, sky blue, maroon, jade, grey or black
Sweatshirts:- royal blue, jade, maroon, grey or black
All items - Please check availability of colours/sizes before ordering,
or give alternatives, as all colours or size/colour combinations may not be available.
Enquire by phone or email to clubsales@royalenfield.org.uk
For security, phone calls are not answered from unknown overseas numbers
Please quote your membership number and a contact telephone number
when ordering from:
Adrian & Cherry Saunders
12 Straidhavern Road, Nutts Corner, CRUMLIN BT29 4SN
Make cheques payable to “Royal Enfield Owners Club”
Or 07545 274883 with your credit/debit card details
(£10 minimum transaction for credit/debit card orders)
PayPal also acceted - email for details of how to pay
For security, please do not send card details by email, nor send cash by post
16Adverts
Do you want to share information, seek technical advice or make contact with
other club members? Royal Enfield Owners Club Est. 1977 Is our own growing
and successful ‘closed’ Facebook group for club members only, policed by club
committee members. We look forward to hearing from you!
17The Evolution of my Crusader Sports
Way back in April 2020 I took delivery of a decrepit, rusty 1965 Royal Enfield
Crusader Sports. It was an ideal project for lockdown, although I did fear
that I had bitten off more than I could chew. The primary chain case had
been left off for years and that side of the engine, including the clutch, was
siezed up with rust. With the help of my mate Russ (who I call “The Bike
Whisperer”) I stripped this side down, cleaned it, and replaced any worn
parts including the all important oil seals. The cover was refitted, a new
battery was connected, fresh oil added, and clean petrol poured into the
carb. Miracle of miracles, after a few kicks the engine fired up. There was
spluttering and a lot of smoke, but the old girl burst into life. I was amazed!
The bike then evolved over
the next few months. I fitted
a brand new temporary
petrol tank, and started
riding it round the garden. It
also had a temporary plastic
back mudguard because
the original was full of holes.
I could only get three gears,
and even these were hard
to get. I also noticed a bad
oil leak from the gear box oil
seal. This was too bad to ignore. I know we call them “Oil Enfields”, but this
was spraying oil onto the back tyre and needed to be sorted. I enlisted the
help of a brilliant mechanic Eric, who runs E.W. Motorcycles near my home.
He stripped the gear box
down and replaced all the
relevant parts. He also
sorted out the gear
selection. I was over the
moon with the result! By this
time the bike had evolved
still further and had the
original tank refitted. I had
no paperwork for the bike,
but armed with the frame
number and the original
18Crusader Evolution
registration number I applied to the DVLA to get the relevant V5 document.
I filled in the correct form and even enclosed photos. During the confusion
of the lockdown these were lost, and I had to re-apply. It took me a total of
6 months to get my V5. I was now ready to insure it and get it on the road.
I really enjoyed riding it. It brought back some great memories. When I was
seventeen, I had
some wonderful
adventures on my
first Crusader
Sports. Fifty years
later I was
seventeen again!
There was one last
stage in the
evolution process,
and some of you
“purists” won’t like
this bit. Instead of
paying a fortune to
have the original
mudguards and
tank re-chromed, I
opted to order new
ones from India.
For the bargain
price of £260 I got
brand new chrome
mudguards and a
tank. The
m u d g u a r d s
needed some
holes drilling, but the tank fitted straight on to the bike with no alterations. It
even came with nuts, bolts, petrol cap and fuel tap. I am so pleased with
the end result. Thanks to Rob for the paintwork and 89 year old Uncle Pete
who made the stainless steel brake rod. It is great to have friends to help.
Eight months of blood sweat and tears. It was worth it!
John Pickering (17059)
19After 25 Years of White-Knuckle Riding – Able to Stop at Last!
There are many wonderful things about riding a vintage motorcycle, but in
my experience being able to stop quickly isn’t normally one of them! So I
am most grateful to Mike Davis for his ‘Better Braking’ article (Christmas
2020/2021, Issue 280) where he explained how Friction Services of
Keynsham had transformed his stopping power.
Since the mid 1990s I have been riding a lovely 1937 250cc SV Model B
which I inherited from my Dad (featured in The Classic Motorcycle Sep 95).
It’s a great bike, but up to now it’s had very poor brakes despite many re-
linings/cleans/adjustments. Living in Glastonbury, just half an hour or so
from Keynsham, I was inspired by Mike’s article to try one more time. I’m
so glad that I did. As Mike says in his article, Mike Pickering at Friction
Services could not have been more helpful and a joy to visit. Like Mike, I
delivered the complete front and rear wheels and Mike re-lined them with a
woven lining material which is softer than the modern ‘green’ linings I had
fitted previously. Despite all this, the job was very reasonably priced. As
you can see from the photo, Mike did a superb job of fitting the new linings
– they were almost too good to use!
At first the brakes felt about the same as they had been previously, but
after about 20 miles of running in the bike was stopping like never before.
So much stopping power in fact, that I can bottom the girder forks. As Mike
had warned me, they were initially a quite squeaky too, but this was fine for
me - a hard stop had all the brake squealing drama of a 1960s movie crash
scene! After a month or so of use though, this has almost disappeared, and
I now quite like the rather authentic occasional squeak. The brakes are
powerful and responsive, with a good ‘feel’. For the first time ever, the bike
feels completely safe and roadworthy, even in modern traffic conditions.
Interestingly, I found in the old 1930s Royal Enfield ‘Hints and Tips’ handbook
that came with the bike, a note to say that it originally had woven linings
which Royal Enfield were proud to highlight.
So, if you need more stopping
power – look no further than
those wonderful people at
Friction Services.
Tim Rowntree (17120)
07846471920
20Sorry its not a full one
A word to express my gratitude; my sincere thanks go to a French REOC Member
Jose. Thank you Jose.
A few days ago I received an oddly shaped but well wrapped
parcel in the post. On opening it I found an excellent bottle of
French bubbly with a note of explanation on the back of a
wonderful painting of a Crusader.
Some weeks earlier I had helped Jose with a ‘difficult to identify’
Crusader Sports and forwarded a Machine Dating Certificate
(MDC) to him to assist registration of the machine in his home
country. As a mark of gratitude he sent me the delicious tipple.
The point of my sharing this story is because it is usually the
case that we volunteers go unthanked and often overlooked.
Occasionally I will receive a “thank you for the certificate” email
but more often than not I hear nothing. To make matters more
frustrating applicants often lack the common decency to ask for assistance let
alone use the word please. “I need a dating certificate” is a blunt statement and
not a polite request. Civility goes a long way readers, added to which an MDC is
often not what you will need (see below in bold).
Back to the bottle of Heringer; Jose’s timing could not have been better because
last evening, Friday 9th April, we were due a visit from my sister in law who we
had not seen for many months due to lockdown. Lockdown had meant that she
and my wife had not been able to celebrate their 40th and 45th birthdays together.
They were born five years apart bar two days apart so always celebrate over the
same weekend. Ruth arrived, as did the Chinese take-away, and the Heringer’s
cork was popped. Perfect.
To round up the services that we offer for machine dating; firstly the simple
service of telling you, via email, the dispatch date of your frame, engine
and/or bike. Secondly a dating letter, which is not used for registration
purposes. A dating letter will state whatever dispatch ledger notes exist
for your Royal Enfield. Thirdly an MDC, this is only used for DVLA
applications and is only valid for one year and only applicable for use by
the applicant named therein. Finally we complete the relevant sections
where V627 and V765 application forms are used. Please do not write what
you think the frame and engine number should be on your photos. It is
our job to decipher your digital photos and not yours to pre-frame us with
your guesses. Please be specific about your needs and please be
courteous. At any one time I have around three dozen incomplete
applications awaiting further information so the clearer your email the
less likely I will get it wrong. We are here to be helpful so please help us to
help you. JD Machine Dating Officer.
21Club Calendar 2021
Official Rallies Agreed rally fees, for tents £6 per
Wobbly’s Red Rose Rally person per night. Camper vans
and caravans with power for 2
September 9th-13th 2021
people £20 per van. Rally rates
Orcaber Camping and apply for early arrivals and those
Caravanning Site Orcaber Lane, who stay over.
Austwick, Settle LA2 8AE
MARSHAL-Michael Sliwowski
Motorhomes, Campervans and 0773 0110 158
Tents, pitches all £10 / Day plus £5 poloenfield700@googlemail.com
per adult /day (It’s because some
tents could hold 10 adults, and The Fossil Gathering
campers 1 or 2). All ablutions Friday 1st October through to
available for our use in main Sunday 3rd
Campsite and Temporary but very At The Cross Keys Inn,
Posh Poraloos will be placed on Lydford, Somerset.
our site for the weak boweled.
More information to be confirmed.
There will be a REOC Banner
Contact at this stage
placed at the entrance drive to our
Robin 01963 251406
rally site on Orcaber Lane on
opposite side to the Main Camping None Official Rallies ***
Site and Farm House.
Contact: John Hamer The Royal Enfield Ride in day
07933321135 at Sammy Millers Motor Cycle
or hamer89@btinternet.com Museum ***
Sunday 11th July 2021
October Fest Rally Museum BH25 5SZ New Forest.
REOC October Fest Opens 10.00 through to 16.00
8th to 10th October 2021. Restaurant tables can be
Island Meadow Caravan and booked with catering on 01425
Camping Park, Aston Cantlow, 610077, otherwise first come
Henly in Arden, Warwickshire first served.
B95 6JP. Club Contact Robin Gillingham
http://www.islandmeadowcaravan 01963 251406 or
robin.gillingham@btinternet.com
email:
I should be there by 08.00 to set
holiday@islandmeadowcaravanpar
up etc. if you are early come
Phone Katherine 01789 488273 and say hello.
with your eta.
22Dating Procedure
REOC Machine Dating Service
When applying for an REOC ‘Machine Dating Certificate’ please
follow the process below in full;
Please email clear, colour, side-on digital photos of the
completed, MOT ready, motorcycle.
Please email digital photos of the relevant engine and frame
numbers along with photos of where the numbers sit on the
engine and frame.
Please email digital photos of ‘brass rubbings’ of the engine
and frame numbers, preferably with paint removed.
Please supply your current REOC membership number, name,
as you require it on your certificate, and full postal address in
all communications.
Please ensure that you provide all of this in a single email to:
jd.service.repair@gmail.com
If email is not possible for you please follow the above process
in full by post to:
REOC Machine Dating Service
C/O Ainsdale, Sawbridge Rd,
Grandborough, Warwickshire
CV23 8DN
REOC National Facebook Page
The REOC FB page has two purposes, or two core values if
you like. “To paint Royal Enfield Motorcycles new and old in a
positive light and to promote the Royal Enfield owners Club”.
If you can do either of those in words or pictures or simply just
wish to follow others doing so please visit.
www.facebook.com/royalenfieldownersclubUK/Policing;
23Bath to Biarritz
24Bath to Biarritz
25Bath to Biarritz
26Bath to Biarritz
Return journey in next issue......Editor
27Market Place For Sale
For Sale: Royal Enfield 500 Big Head Bullet 1961 £6,600.
Andrew Denman (16406) Tel: 07786 651903 (Bucks)
For Sale: Interceptor Clutch, Interceptor Carbs 930 L33 R32, Meteor Cylinder Head
4912, Pistons 14844 +40 13236+40, Complete fishtail exhaust from 1961 on for Bullet
or Connie, Alloy full stand 5035. Diesel industrial engine with generator 350/647.
Ieuan Davies (3370) Tel: 01239682205
For Sale: Constellation 1961 Airflow .Reliable comfortable bike. Few sensible mods.
Regular oil changes owned since 1974. Nice Patina £3,250
Colin House (03115) confield@ntlworld.com or 01642 896743 Mob: 07926564221
For Sale: Double sided front wheel, Bullet chaincase, G deluxe crankcase, N.O.S.
1938/39 J head and cylinder, Mitchell Avon fairing with fittings, front and rear 17” clipper/
crusader/bullet wheels, pair clipper/crusader forks, casquette, Indian Apache
crankcases, pair Desabell silencers.
Ian Johnson (4385) Tel: 07811 906146
For Sale: 1961 Royal Enfield 350 Clipper with V5 in good original condition needs carb
and tank cleaning out to get running. £2495.
Chris Raines (17375) Kent Tel: 07974 837947 cbrdevelopments@gmail.com
For Sale: Pillion seat in black for efi classic bullet 500 in very good condition £50.
Peter Coleman (16822) Tel: 01773 688071 petedakar@hotmail.co.uk (Derby)
For Sale: BSA B31 ‘special’. First registered in 1954, fitted with 700 constellation engine
/ gearbox, electric ignition, new tyres, new twin carbs chops from Hitchcocks, Goldstar
front brake, new clocks, rev counter is cosmetic. Has oil leak, V5 present in my name
since 2014. It has been standing for some time so will need fettling. Has Redex in bore
to keep free. Does run a bit rough. Have some receipts £2500 ono.
Simon Goldby (15750) 07525019289 goldbysr@gmail.com
For Sale: 1938 J2 500cc Bullet. This is the “Top of the range” bullet for 1938. Mine
since 1987 but it is getting a bit heavy for me. Fully rebuilt but not cosmetically restored.
A rideable pre war bike £7000.
Chris Brady (07170) 01280 848491 evenings (North Bucks)
For Sale: 350cc Classic Bullet engine parts, 2008. Mikuni carb + cable + mani-fold +
cone filter. Standard piston + gudgeon pin. Cylinder head complete but needs small
weld. Good condition. 4000 miles only. £40.
Dave Charman (14436) Tel 02380 466611 (Hampshire) david.charman947@gmail.com
For Sale: Enfield Silver Plus moped 1989. Good example of these Indian built, Zundapp
engined bikes. Just right for the collection. V5, MOT. £1100 ono. Photos available.
Gordon Hallett (10052) 07780 844700 (Herts) jan.gor@btinternet.com
For Sale: Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twin Spark 350, Indian market bike, manufactured
2011, UK registered 2014, One previous owner, Documentation, M.o.t’d, Grab yourself
a very rare bike, and a piece of India’s finest. £2000.00 Call for more details.
Alan Styles (16893) 01622 751 774 (Maidstone)
For Sale: Trauma caravan mover, in very good condition, going cheap, for info and
photos.
A. Bedell (12301) 01476 562920 (Lincs) or email: oldchad1@gmail.com
28Market Place Wanted
Wanted: Late Redditch big lug Bullet frame.
Ray Barrett (17085) Tel: 07967227068 raybarrett866@yahoo.com (Warwickshire)
Wanted: For 1960 350cc Bullet, primary chaincase inner half (part No. 45003), to hold
RM15 alternator.
John Palmer (6304) Tel: 01702 295745
Wanted/Exchange: I have a Constellation tank also an early Meteor 700 panelled tank
I would like to exchange for a 1958 Meteor Minor or 1958 Crusader panelled tank.
Colin House (03115) confield@ntlworld.com or 01642 896743 Mob: 07926564221
Wanted: Original silencer for Bullet 65 model (year 2003). This is about 2ft long and
not the 3ft long silencer used on the basic classic 500s of that era. Has anyone got one
to sell?
Jezz Scot (12366) Tel: 07980068196 jezz.scott@nhs.net
Wanted: Barbour waxed cotton long Touring Coat or Belstaff equivalent to suit use with
vintage machine. Older International or Trialmaster also considered. Thankyou.
David Stanley (16923) Tel: 01223 350289 or 07788 636027 (Cambridge)
Wanted: Crankshaft for Royal Enfield 700 meteor 1953. Used or new, give me an offer.
Bo Eget (11266) egetbo@yahoo.dk or Tel: 045 31391740 (Denmark)
Wanted: Any Prince/Ensign parts. I have got parts to swop.
Ring me on 01280-848491 evenings. Chris Brady (07170) Buckinghamshire.
Wanted: Toolbox for 1937 model (upright oblong box with suitcase type catch on
opening) Any condition for oily rag Model G please.
Alex Taylor (16292) Tel: 0781 8668165 alexrtaylor574@gmail.com
Wanted: Gun issues printed #1, #2, #4, #5, #20, #198, #199, #200, #204, #204, #205,
#206, #207, #208 if anybody has some or all to complete my collection.
Papadakis Andreas (15544) andrew-pap@hotmail.com (Greece)
Wanted: Exhaust pipe for Crusader Airflow. Old, new, borrowed or blued.
Part No. 44001. To use, or to make copies from.
Bob (6397) REOC.archivist34@gmail.com
Advertisements are free to all paid up (non trade) R.E.O.C. members.
These adverts should be limited to 30 words or less. Send adverts directly
to the Editor, quoting your full name, membership number, county or town,
telephone number, email address. Adverts in upper and lower case only.
Non-members £5.
Trade advertisements rates as follows per issue. — full page £120, ½ page £60
29WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
March/April 2021
Brian Graham, Melton Mowbray Peter Dunning, Milton Keynes
Lydia Hurley, Billericay Kevin Allen, Heanor
Allen Pearson, Huntingdon Dennis Harris, Ivybridge
William McDonald, Denny Robert Peel, Bolton
Andrew Scambler, Northwich Bill Rodgers, Sleaford
John Driver, Belfast Peter Rollings, Dunstable
Derek Heather, Gillingham Chris Arkesden, New Romney
Neil Winchester, Prenton Jonathan Richardson, Crowthorne
Trevor Firth, Fareham Chris White, Leicester
Sue Whitling, Northampton Anthony Dickenson, Cheltenham
Richard Skelton, Holmfirth Cedric Trenquier, FRANCE
Stuart Harvey, Exeter Michael Butcher, Lincoln
Michael Gerrard, Skegness Petros Giounas, GREECE
Richard Hallaran, Newport Brian Chester, Manchester
Barry Kemp, Cambridge Niall Keane, IRELAND
Ilker Yaldirak, Sandbach Mark Palmer, SOUTH AFRICA
Philip Scarfe, Bungay Christopher Bethell, Hook
Drew Millar, Belfast Seth Allen, Market Rasen
John Burwood, Rayleigh Mark Saunders, Hertford
Tom Peppiatt, Kidlington Matthew Walker, Oldham
David Baxter, Ibstock Simon Matthews, Leicester
Mike Bowes, Welwyn Richard King, Henley-In-Arden
Ben Roth, USA Stephen Saunders, Bournemouth
George Hunter-Grayson, Newark Stephen Poulton, Chesterfield
Paul Gimbert, Bury Brett Whittingham, Tadcaster
George Boardman, Withernsea Michael Gwynne, Warwick
Paul Tapping, Rotherham Dwight Varnes, USA
Peter Darwent, Bridgwater Paul Collin, Bristol
Bob Bowers, King’s Lynn Phil Keeley, Melksham
Graham Forsyth, Nairn Anthony Cade, Leominster
Paul Thomas, Sheffield John Kelston-Merrett
Llewelyn Griffin, Barmouth Guillaume Ellien, FRANCE
Richard Hoyle, Holmfirth John Scott, Bedlington
Alan Swaffield, Gloucester James McNamara, Swansea
Kenneth Alan Jones, Llanfyllin Craig Irwin, Poole
Membership Secretary
Teresa Langley, Strathaan, Ardgay IV24 3BG
tel: 01863 766431
email: membershipsecretary@royalenfield.org.uk
30News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)
MAG congratulates Bill Wiggin, new Chair of Parliamentary Motorcycle Group.
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) congratulates Bill Wiggin MP on his election
as the new Chair of the All-party Parliamentary Motorcycle Group (APMG). MAG
also thanks outgoing Chair Chris Law MP for his support over the last four
years.
At the Motorcycling APPG’s AGM on 29th April, Bill Wiggin MP was elected as
the new Chair of the parliamentarians motorcycling group.
Bill is an enthusiastic motorcyclist. In 2003 he introduced a bill to allow motorcycle
access to bus lanes. His opening line was “As possibly the only Member of
Parliament who motorcycles to work every day, I am one of more than 1 million
motorcyclists in Britain who recognise the pleasure and convenience of filtering
past the gridlocked traffic and steering clear of public transport.”
MAG’s Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Lembit Opik, is a former
MP and former chair of the Motorcycling APPG. Lembit said:
“Bill was a very active member of the All Party Group when I was Chairman, and
I emphatically applaud his promotion to the top job in the group. He is a truly
frequent rider, using his machine as a commuting tool. This means Bill
experiences what we all experience in terms of traffic, bad weather and the joy
of riding. I’m really looking forward to teaming up with him again, because I
know he’s going to be good for the All Party Group and great for British biking.”
Bill Wiggin commented: “Having been a motorcyclist for more than quarter of a
century, I have always seen the importance of motorcycles as a vital part of the
mix of travel options in the UK. They’re economical, inexpensive and have a low
carbon footprint. I hope to make sure that the Government takes biking into
account as we create a sustainable transport regime. Working with riders and
the industry, the future looks brighter for motorbikes and scooters. I look forward
to the APPG integrating political understanding and priorities even more closely
with biking.”
One of Bill’s first acts as Chair was to give the APPG’s formal support to the
Ride To Work Day campaign. This is a fitting start for an APPG Chair who rides
his motorcycle to work.
MAG has also thanked outgoing Chair, Chris Law MP. Lembit paid tribute to
Chris Law saying: Chris has been a tremendous advocate for motorcycling,
earning the respect and gratitude of thousands of riders across the UK. His
active contribution - and personal knowledge of biking as a world-travelled rider
- means he has raised the profile of motorcycling inside and outside Parliament.
Chris will always be welcomed at MAG events wherever he goes, as a part of
the community he has done so much to represent.’
31MAG News
‘The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has welcomed news that the number of
dedicated parking places for motorcycles in Manchester car parks has more
than doubled – and they are all free!
A review of motorcycle parking within the city showed that demand for parking
exceeded the supply and that, as a result, a considerable number of motorcyclists
were parking unofficially, and sometimes illegally.
The Manchester City Council Highways Team has reacted by providing more
spaces for motorcyclists. They consulted various motorcycle community groups
and organisations including MAG. We said that having spaces in car parks and
on the ground or first floors, making sure they were well-lit and having CCTV
coverage was important, along with anchor points or rails for chaining bikes to.
All of these suggestions have been adopted. There are now 127 dedicated
motorcycle spaces; a mixture of on-street (63 spaces) and covered car parks
(64 spaces), and full details are available on the council’s website at: https://
secure.manchester.gov.uk/info/500346/city_centre_parking/332/motorcycles “It
is great to see this increase in parking provision for motorcyclists in Manchester
and I would like to thank the MCC Highways Team for listening to our comments
on the security aspects of the provision. The bays provided are free to all riders,
which is a great way to encourage motorcycle use. This will, in turn, reduce
congestion and emissions in Manchester City Centre.” Motorcyclists are urged
to use the newly available spaces and to avoid parking illegally as enforcement
will follow. A grace period informing motorcyclists of the new provisions will run
from 12/03/21 to 06/05/21, when motorcyclists who are parked illegally will receive
an information leaflet advising them of the new parking provisions across the
city centre. During the grace period motorcyclists will not receive a parking ticket.
However, after the grace period ends, MCC will enforce pen-alties (£70 penalty,
discounted to £35 if paid within 14 days of issue) for mo-torcyclists parking in
the wrong place. This includes designated cycle parking spaces and racks.
Motorcyclists can park in normal pay and display bays an-ywhere across the
city, provided that they purchase a pay and display ticket. It is advisable to write
‘M’ for motorbike and the registration number of the bike on the ticket before
attaching this to the motorbike, to discourage theft.
Reference the article in issue 282 of The Gun from Andrew N Woods (1862). I do not
remember Andrew, but I do remember meetings at The Flying Fish pub in the village
of Denton near Newhaven. I of course remember Rob Thornton and two other
members Brian Amos and Ray Edward, they both had Black 350 Bullets purchased,
I think in the early 60’s. In that period we enjoyed participating in Road Trials ‘Concours’
and every year We would support The Festival of a Thousand Bikes held at Brands
Hatch in Kent. At the time I was riding a 1957 500 Bullet fitted with an ‘airflow’ fairing.
Happy days. I am getting a little old in the tooth, but the memories are extensive.
Peter Barber (02639)
32Branch Reports
West Riding Branch
Contact Kevin Moore 07736775211 sidecarkevin@ntlworld.comling
We now intend to resume meeting monthly at the Reindeer Inn, Old Road,
Overton, Wakefield WF4 4RL at 8.00pm 1st Thursday of the month observing
applicable Covid protocols. In addition, from Spring to Late Autumn we also
aim to have a 3rd Tuesday ride out leaving the Reindeer at 7.30pm. (To avoid
disappointment, please call or text Kevin to confirm a ride is on).
As I write this West Riding Branch update, I look
out over a sun-drenched garden with plants and
bird behaviour exhibiting all the promise of a
glorious Yorkshire springtime and hence, the
possibility of venturing out on two wheels. The
reliability of the season inspiring more
confidence in me, however, than Bo Jo’s carrot
and stick ‘Roadmap’ to recovery. In the absence
of anything interesting in the way of club activity
in the wake of the most recent lockdown, I hope
that an update in the progress of the developing relationship with my recently
acquired Classic 500 Tribute will suffice. In mid November, I reluctantly traded my
much loved 2018 Himmy for a very attractive limited edition #410 of the last 1000
500cc RE Bullets to roll off the production line. Much as I loved the highly regarded
411cc globe trotter, it didn’t quite capture that hard to account for ‘something’, our
longest produced model so adequately imbibes. It being just about the most
attractive (in my humble opinion) version of the ‘Classic’ and certainly the most
expensive, I did the deal, rationalizing that I could get another Himmy any time, but
this was likely to be my last opportunity to buy a brand new 500cc Bullet. However,
I soon found myself questioning my own sanity as I rode the tight engined lump
away from the dealer, adhering to ‘running in’ advice with only 3 miles showing on
the odometer. It wasn’t long though, before the engine was freeing up nicely, and
with it my very satisfied grin. I am (proudly) an all year, all weather (well almost)
rider and so, before venturing out onto our salted winter roads, I applied a liberal
coating of ACF50 as best I could. 500 miles were very quickly racked up and it was
a return trip for the first service. At 1000 miles, I fitted an iridium spark plug, 18
tooth front sprocket and a rather reasonably priced after market silencer. Courtesy
of my membership of several marque related FB and other platforms, I was becoming
aware of a number of detrimental comments relating to early deterioration in the
finish of the model. I have to say I was a little taken aback to note the thinnest of
paint coats applied to the standard exhaust and heat shield, much of which was
departing and allowing the early onset of surface rust. Much as I love the sound of
the new pipe, it only seems to amplify the undeniably pleasant original exhaust
note but seems to me to present no other significant advantage (apart from weight
saving). So I will be returning to the manufacturers option for the time being. With
that in mind, I have applied several coats of a good quality heat resistant paint
33Branch Reports
recognizing that the acquisition of a replacement under warrantee is unlikely to
resolve the issue, preferring to properly protect the original before significant
deterioration sets in. I can’t say I’ve noticed any significant improvement relating to
the spark plug upgrade but the smaller front sprocket certainly relaxes the engine
effort when cruising at higher speeds. There does seem to be a very slight drop in
performance most noticeable when riding with my friend Dave Barf on a jaunt into
the East Riding recently, although this could have more to do with his 2015 Classic
being more ‘run in’ at 5000 miles. So now with mine having 1500 miles under the
belt I am about to replace the engine oil, fit a DNA air filter and air balance blanking
kit and aim to get some serious miles on it!
Here’s ‘til next time, ride safe!
Dudley Martin (15010)
Mid-Shires Branch
Hello all, apologies for the no show in the last issue. Although computers on the
whole are rather reliable contraptions, they can still play up for no apparent reason.
Like where the branch report email went to for 5 days in between hitting the send
button and it actually arriving at the editors inbox! Who knows the answers to
these mystical machines? Anyway I digress, let’s start where we left off.
We are now seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, as we have been able to
meet up for our breakfast runs for a sit down breakfast at last. Albeit outside and
limited to sixes. However, this is definitely a step in the right direction. There is also
the news of the go ahead of The Taverners event at Stanford Hall, which has set
our planning wheels in motion for a club stand. We will also have hosted our first
club night, by the time you read this. Although it will have been hosted in the carpark
at The Friendly Inn, rather than inside. But
generally things are looking up. As long as we
are allowed into the next stage of the easing
of the lockdown by Bo-Jo, then club runs will
follow. We may have to think carefully about
our destinations however, so as not to arrive
along with every man and his dog! So some
positive news at last. We’re certainly looking
forward to meeting with some members that
we’ve not been able to see for some
considerable time, and then coercing them to
volunteer for the manning of a stand and
assisting at the various runs that are in the
pipeline. Ah, good old club nights at last.
Pictured is club member Ray aboard his trusty
Enfield at The Royal Enfield International Rally
2019 at Stanford Hall.
Simon Edler (16783)
34Branch Reports
Cornwall Branch
At last. We have actually managed a ride out as a branch. On the morning of
Sunday 18th April, eleven of us met at Cornwall Services near Victoria in fine
weather, and after catching up on the latest news etc. We set off for Dartmoor, and
our destination was to be Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Keeping off the main roads and
using B and C roads as much as possible. We rode up to Liskeard, on to Callington,
and through Gunnislake to Tavistock before branching off onto the B3357 past Two
Bridges. Up on the Moor we stopped for a break and a brew up. Suitably refreshed,
several said they could do with topping up on petrol. Filling stations are few and far
between around Dartmoor. So we headed down through Dartmeet, and the scenic
route through Poundsgate and Newbridge to Ashburton, where fuel tanks were
topped up. On leaving Ashburton we rode back up onto the Moor, and through
Buckland-in-the Moor, Cockingford Bridge and on to Widecombe. Where we stopped
in the car park next to the Cafe On The Green, where some of us sat relaxing at the
outside tables with more refreshments.
After resting for a while, it was time to return homeward. It was decided that Gregg
would lead us back past the Warren House Inn. So that’s what we did. Up past
Hookney and Shapley Tors before turning left onto the B3212, down past the Warren
House Inn, and through Postbridge back to Two Bridges, Merrivale and Tavistock.
We then retraced our route home, having had a very pleasant and scenic ride out.
Going down through the Glynn Valley, Adam ran out of fuel, having turned on his
reserve tap about six miles earlier, and was expecting at least to reach the Cornwall
Services about ten miles down the road. Fortunately Calvin came to the rescue,
with a can of petrol in one of his panniers. At least it gave us a break for a while
before heading our separate ways home, having had a good leisurely and enjoyable
ride out.
We are now looking forward to the next one.
Bob Reed (6167A)
Brewing up on Dartmoor
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